Study shows employers shifting more medical costs to workers

Associated Press ^ | Sep. 22, 2015 3:22 PM EDT | Tom Murphy

[Olog-hai]

Employers are leaving a bigger chunk of the bill for care to workers who use their health insurance, and benefits experts see few signs of this trend slowing.

Most companies now offer health coverage that requires employees to pay an annual deductible before insurance kicks in, and the size of that deductible has soared in the past decade, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust.

The average general deductible for workers with single coverage totaled $1,077 this year, compared to only $303 in 2006. That deductible has climbed nearly seven times faster than wages, on average, over the past five years.

“That has an impact on family budgets,” Kaiser CEO Drew Altman said. …

[EVO X]

I was looking over a company’s benefits the other day and saw that their best plan was $600 per month with 10k deductibles. When I asked why it was so bad, they replied “affordable care act”.

I take it that is for a family plan since you mention the $10K deductible? A large employer would be setting themselves up for a $3K per employer per year fine if their employee premium exceeds 9.5%

[petercooper]

Hope and Change!

[Mears]

How did you find that old link in about 3 minutes?

Impressive.

[dragnet2]

There is nothing new about the 30+ year decline of America. All brought to us by controlling corrupt government at all levels.

[Pollster1]

That’s unexpected. Who would have guessed that requiring employers to pay for frivolous coverage in insurance would make them shift real costs to their employees?

[Soul of the South]

“We are there. I pay 5k with a $6800 deductible for a bottom plan. Those who are broke can get a much higher plan with no deductible and they don’t pay a dime.”

I’m there as well in NC. For two people we pay $1100 per month ($13,200 per year) for a Bronze plan with a $6200 deductible each. We’ve already hit the deductible for each of us this year. Total of pocket medical payments for insurance premiums and deductibles of $25,600 before receiving a dime of benefits. Meanwhile, the illegal who is birthing an anchor baby tonight in a Texas, Arizona, or California hospital will have 100% of her expenses paid for by the taxpayer.

Why can’t any GOP candidate, other than Trump, exhibit outrage at this travesty? My two GOP US Senators and my GOP representative in the House don’t seem to be bothered as they are doing absolutely nothing to change the situation and when forced to answer questions give the RNC canned response that they can’t do anything until the party wins the White House.

[EVO X]

My two GOP US Senators and my GOP representative in the House don’t seem to be bothered as they are doing absolutely nothing to change the situation and when forced to answer questions give the RNC canned response that they can’t do anything until the party wins the White House.

If you go to the RNC website, there is nothing on the front page about repealing or changing the healthcare law. Doesn't look to me like it is a high priority item this election cycle.

[Republican Wildcat]

Yes, and many other things that have come true, but of course, those were just “scare tactics”, you see.